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Bike Questions...convert or buy?
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 2009-08-16 9:56 AM |
Elite  2729     Puyallup, WA |  Subject: Bike Questions...convert or buy?So I don't have too much of a budget, but I want to make some changes to my bike. Currently I have a Giant hybrid bike (I think thats what their called when it's skinny tires and flat handlebars)...and I'm trying to figure out what to do - - do I convert or do I buy (used) AND how in the world do I figure out what pedals to get? So...Here are the facts -Bike might be 5 years old - just got new brake lines & tires (slicks) put on -Frame is good fit (I had a co-worker/bike guy said it should be about an inch shorter than your crotch) -Bike is pretty light weight, too -Got the quote from the shop - converting flat bars to race bars will cost about $200-300 -I can do pedal conversion myself - but how do I know which pedals to get?!?! -I'd like to spend the least amount possible...but could probably do up to $400-500 WWBTD? The end result is I wanna bike w road style bars for less than $400...pedals & aero bars I can do. |
| 2009-08-16 9:58 AM in reply to: #2351347 |
Elite 2729 Puyallup, WA | Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? OH! And I will want to get a different bike seat too...So the less I spend the better!! |
| 2009-08-16 1:23 PM in reply to: #2351347 |
| Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? lkc01234 - 2009-08-16 10:56 AM The end result is I wanna bike w road style bars for less than $400...pedals & aero bars I can do. If you shop around, you can find a road bike for around there. No matter what you do with your hybrid, it's still made to be a compromise and is not the best setup for road bikeness. Look at the classified here and on ST and you can catch someone upgrading, they'll sell off their old one. Put it this way, if you wanted to be competitive in a road race and only had a chevette, would it pay to put in a new engine, tires, etc or would you get a car generally made to race? Edited by DanielG 2009-08-16 1:24 PM |
| 2009-08-16 3:43 PM in reply to: #2351347 |
Member 86 Columbia, MD | Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? trying not to offend... you are talking about putting lipstick on a pig, and spending more than the bike cost in the first place doing it. I wouldn't spend a cent on the bike you have now, that you aren't sure you could take with you to your next bike. Drop bar shifters are really expensive, and there may be issues with the brakes (I'd be happy to explain if you like, but in the interest of brevity...). Suffice to say, there are a couple things that kind of take the fun out of that conversion. If money is really tight, depending on what your goals are, you could put some aero bars on your flat bar, plus whatever pedals and saddle you like. If you are dead-set on road bars, get to know craig (as in craigslist), or the classifieds on here. Sell the bike you have now, put whatever you get for it toward your budget for a new one. |
| 2009-08-16 8:36 PM in reply to: #2351347 |
Veteran 812 | Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? Don't try to convert that bike. Determine your size, and then keep looking until you find a good deal on a used road bike. |
| 2009-08-17 10:11 AM in reply to: #2351347 |
Elite 2729 Puyallup, WA | Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? Ok...so am looking for used road bikes... but what about pedals?? How do I figure out what kind of pedals I want? |
| 2009-08-17 10:13 AM in reply to: #2352940 |
| Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? lkc01234 - 2009-08-17 11:11 AM Ok...so am looking for used road bikes... but what about pedals?? How do I figure out what kind of pedals I want? Get Shimano SPD-SL 540 or Look Keo Classic pedals and call it good  After you've done this stuff for a while you'll know what you're looking for when it's time to upgrade. |
| 2009-08-17 12:49 PM in reply to: #2352940 |
Member 86 Columbia, MD | Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? that's pretty much a matter of how much you want to spend. There isn't a whole lot of utter junk on the market these days, so I wouldn't worry too much about getting the 'wrong' pedal. SPD-SL, Time RXS, Look Keo, Speedplay, Campy Pro-fit... all good. If you really want to go cheap, even PricePoint and Nashbar's look-compatible store brands are decent (and start at $30). Only thing I would caution is stay away from 'regular' SPD (not SPD-SL) compatible, those are the 2-bolt, metal cleats. That standard was meant for mountain bikes, and... involoves a lot of comprimises with no real benefit for road. |
| 2009-08-17 3:21 PM in reply to: #2351347 |
| Veteran 585 Kenosha, WI | Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? I am in the middle of a bike rehab and its a nightmare... i bought forks and stems and handle bars, brake-shifters areo bars ect... half doesn't fit the used frame i got and the other half isn't compatible with the components I had... the new shifters have 8/3 gears but my cassette has 7 gears crank has 2... total nightmare... it works... I train on it ride trails beat it up ect. but i wouldn't wish that fustration on anyone. My wife is also new to the sport so we took a tip from a poster here and went on bikesdirect.com got a bike for 400ish free shipping it had the brake shifters, areo bars, carbon fork, ect. all the stuff she wanted... bike workes great. i did a tri this weekend and used her bike. |
| 2009-08-21 3:15 PM in reply to: #2351347 |
| Member 8 | Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? You're in the same boat as I am. I currently have a Specialized mountain bike and it's tough competing with the road folks. I am looking for a tri bike and want to keep it less than $1500. Look for a bike you can afford, get fitted properly and have fun. I have heard from others that it's your engine that matters, not the bike. |
| 2009-08-23 3:31 PM in reply to: #2351347 |
| 70 | Subject: RE: Bike Questions...convert or buy? Don't convert. You never end with what you set out to do. Go to a shop and ask them what sz of bike you are and then look on craigslist, ebay, here, or where ever for the right size. Pedals are matter of personal choice and I understand why you are confused. Go to pricepoint.com and you can get a good set of shimano knockoffs and shoes together for a good price. Sette is the make I started with and still use them on the winter machine. This will get you started and then you will be hooked and figure out what you want in time. Speedplay are another nice option. Enjoy the sport and the education you get from it. |
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